Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Devin Lamont Major, 30 years old, formerly of the 100 block of Lambert Drive in Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge Glenn R. Croshaw for two (2) counts each of Robbery and Use of a Firearm. Judge Croshaw sentenced Major to two (2) life terms, all suspended except 56 years. This sentence highly exceeds the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines, which recommended he serve no more than 38 years and 1 month.

Major was found guilty by Judge Croshaw after a trial on April 20, 2015. The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on June 29, 2014, Devin Major committed an armed robbery at the Family Dollar store on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach. He walked through the store, selected a bag of chips, and approached the register. He then pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded all of the money in the register and safe. After taking the money from the register, Major waited five (5) minutes for the time-locked safe to open. He fled with approximately $695.

On July 7, 2014, Major and two co-conspirators committed an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven store located at 3964 Holland Road in Virginia Beach. It was just after 1 a.m. when the three men entered the store. Major immediately went behind the counter, displayed a gun, and demanded money from the registers. The other two men acted as “look-outs” at the front of the store. Major took the money and several packs of cigarettes before ordering the cashier to the back of the store to unplug the surveillance system. All three suspects then fled the business.

Still surveillance video images from the 7-Eleven robbery were released to the media and tips were received by Crime Solvers. During an unrelated traffic stop by Virginia Beach police, Devin Major was recognized immediately by investigators as the gunman from the 7-Eleven robbery, and he was taken into custody.

Investigators ultimately received information that Major committed the June 29, 2014 Family Dollar armed robbery as well. During an interview, Major told police, “I can’t say I did it, but I can’t say I didn’t do it.”

Major’s two co-defendants are due in court for related charges on December 1, 2015.

Major has prior convictions for Robbery, Conspiracy, Aggravated Burglary, Petit Larceny, and Trespassing. He is pending trial in Newport News for Robbery and Possession of Marijuana.